The Western Bulldogs and Richmond kick off what’s become known as the ‘festival of football’ on Wednesday night, in what could be a crucial stretch of matches for all of the AFL’s 2020 finals aspirants.

The Dogs are part of a cluster of teams looking to establish themselves in the top half of the ladder, and coach Luke Beveridge believes there is still some ambiguity about his team’s credentials.

“We're just trying to work out where we sit, who we are, who we can beat, where we belong and ultimately, whether we're a chance to make it at the end, and there's still a lot of uncertainty attached to that, I think for both teams,” Beveridge told media on Tuesday. 

“It's the ninth game with eight to go and the fact that we only play everyone once means that in the context of the season, you're not quite sure where you sit, and there's a fair logjam for positions in the higher end of the ladder.

Beveridge believes this year’s jostling for spots in the top eight could go right down to the wire.

“Even the teams in the eight at the moment haven't necessarily played maybe the better teams, you don't know who they are yet.

“In the very back end of the year there’s no doubt there’ll be teams coming again.

“I don't think you'll be certain until you get towards the round 16-17 mark.

“Maybe that’s the fascination with the season.  There’s so much uncertainty because of the shorter games and the reduced draw means that we’ll all be flying towards the finish line.”

After a promising stretch of form, the Bulldogs face a Richmond outfit which will be looking to bounce back from a defeat to GWS last Friday night.

“They are a team that really surges the ball forward and runs in waves of numbers,” Beveridge said.

“We just expect an intensity from Richmond that we always get.

“They’ve had this inner confidence because of what they’ve achieved in recent times, and that helps you play some pretty productive football.”